The Spurs have no intentions of losing this series. Coach Gregg Popovich and his staff may have the following tactics in store for the Cavs.
1) The obvious: Tim Duncan. Duncan is the prototypical star power forward. He is fundamentally sound and can hit from closer midrange and in. He is Popovich's best chance at neutralizing Z and the rest of the Cleveland big men. Depending on the lineup, Coach Popovich will aim to get Z in foul trouble or get Gooden and Varejao frustrated on defense.
2) Also obvious: Defending LeBron. Expect LeBron James to see many different looks. Bruce Bowen is the first line of defense, but Manu Ginobili, Michael Finley, and even Tony Parker may see time guarding James or helping double-team him.
3) Guarding Cleveland's perimeter. San Antonio wants to keep the ball out of the hands of LeBron and Z. But, they will probably give different attention to different Cavalier perimeter players. Look especially for Gibson and Pavlovic to see a lot of pressure from whoever is covering them. Popovich wants no ease for those two. Snow will be played more loosely, especially without the ball. The key for the Spurs is to keep Snow from getting to the lane. Jones will be handled the opposite way. The Spurs will look to make him shoot off-the-dribble rather than off a pass. Hughes may see double teams as soon as he gets the ball anywhere past halfcourt as the Spurs look to force bad passes. At the same time, look for Hughes's defenders to play off of him when he doesn't have the ball, unless his shots are falling.
4) Enrage the Wild Thing. Anderson Varejao is quite talented at disrupting opposing players. However, when he loses his cool, he also can be somewhat reckless. While Duncan can give Varejao problems with his offense, Bowen may be the catalyst of a Varejao technical or flagrant foul on either end of the court.
5) Home Court Advantage. The Cavs, after going 20-21 in the regular season on the road, went 2-0 in Washington, 2-1 in New Jersey, and 1-2 in Detroit while outplaying the Pistons in every game there. Losing one of the first two games may be doom for the Spurs. Even letting the Cavs stay close in the first two games may be doom. At home, the team needs to take advantage of the home atmosphere and assert itself as the modern-day Western Conference dynasty that it is.
1) The obvious: Tim Duncan. Duncan is the prototypical star power forward. He is fundamentally sound and can hit from closer midrange and in. He is Popovich's best chance at neutralizing Z and the rest of the Cleveland big men. Depending on the lineup, Coach Popovich will aim to get Z in foul trouble or get Gooden and Varejao frustrated on defense.
2) Also obvious: Defending LeBron. Expect LeBron James to see many different looks. Bruce Bowen is the first line of defense, but Manu Ginobili, Michael Finley, and even Tony Parker may see time guarding James or helping double-team him.
3) Guarding Cleveland's perimeter. San Antonio wants to keep the ball out of the hands of LeBron and Z. But, they will probably give different attention to different Cavalier perimeter players. Look especially for Gibson and Pavlovic to see a lot of pressure from whoever is covering them. Popovich wants no ease for those two. Snow will be played more loosely, especially without the ball. The key for the Spurs is to keep Snow from getting to the lane. Jones will be handled the opposite way. The Spurs will look to make him shoot off-the-dribble rather than off a pass. Hughes may see double teams as soon as he gets the ball anywhere past halfcourt as the Spurs look to force bad passes. At the same time, look for Hughes's defenders to play off of him when he doesn't have the ball, unless his shots are falling.
4) Enrage the Wild Thing. Anderson Varejao is quite talented at disrupting opposing players. However, when he loses his cool, he also can be somewhat reckless. While Duncan can give Varejao problems with his offense, Bowen may be the catalyst of a Varejao technical or flagrant foul on either end of the court.
5) Home Court Advantage. The Cavs, after going 20-21 in the regular season on the road, went 2-0 in Washington, 2-1 in New Jersey, and 1-2 in Detroit while outplaying the Pistons in every game there. Losing one of the first two games may be doom for the Spurs. Even letting the Cavs stay close in the first two games may be doom. At home, the team needs to take advantage of the home atmosphere and assert itself as the modern-day Western Conference dynasty that it is.